Fifth and Sixth Properties Added to South Branch Preserve, Mt. Olive Township

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that they have closed on two properties totaling 18 acres to be added to The Land Conservancy’s South Branch Preserve in Mt. Olive Township.  These are the fifth and sixth properties to be added to the Preserve since its establishment in 2010.  Purchased in partnership with the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, these properties adjoin the South Section of the Preserve located at the end of Shop Lane and its intersection of River Road in the Township.  The Morris County Utilities Authority and New Jersey Water Supply Authority is working with The Land Conservancy on four projects; these are the first two to be purchased. 

“The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is delighted to have closed on these properties,” states David Epstein, President of The Land Conservancy.  “We thank our partners, the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority and the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, for their participation in these projects.  In addition, we wish to recognize the ongoing support of Mt. Olive Township to protecting the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River, a drinking water supply source for over 1.5 million New Jersey residents. We hope this project will inspire our state, county and local agencies to continue to fund these important preservation initiatives to ensure our water resources remain secure and plentiful.”

“The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority is pleased to be a partner in the protection of these properties which add to the South Branch Preserve,” explains Glenn Schweizer, Executive Director of the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority.  “The Preserve is an important water management resource in Morris County consisting of headwaters to the South Branch Raritan River Watershed which provides drinking water for many in Morris County and New Jersey.”

The South Branch Preserve now totals 390 acres. The North Section (totaling 208 acres) is located immediately below Budd Lake at the intersection of Wolfe Road and Route 46.  The South Section is 182 acres and incorporates this newly preserved property.

South Branch Preserve:

In partnership with Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, Mt. Olive Township, New Jersey Water Supply Authority, Trout Unlimited, Raritan Headwaters Association, and New Jersey Green Acres, The Land Conservancy has worked to protect the watershed lands surrounding the South Branch of the Raritan River, a drinking water supply source for over 1.5 million New Jersey residents. The South Branch Preserve is a great example of efforts to bring together public and private organizations with different interests and resources to preserve lands of regional and statewide significance. The long term vision is to increase the South Branch Preserve to 1,000 acres to serve as a showcase for watershed preservation and restoration; organic farming, a community garden, and resource-based recreation including fishing and hiking.


Located in the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River at Budd Lake, the South Branch Preserve is a remarkable watershed containing scenic views, rich forests, tilled agricultural fields, diverse wetlands, and unique riparian corridors. The South Branch of the Raritan River flows into the main stem of the Raritan River, which is the largest river basin located entirely within the state New of New Jersey and is one of its most critical water supply sources.

The Land Conservancy and its partners have added five properties to the Preserve, which now totals 390 acres and includes three-quarters of a mile of the river flowing through the Preserve. The Land Conservancy continues to focus its efforts on the preservation of the watershed of the South Branch of the Raritan River. Far reaching plans are being developed for managing the South Branch Preserve property to ensure it protects the South Branch of the Raritan River and provides for public enjoyment.